U.S. patent application number 10/438231 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-20 for method of issuing tickets to events.
Invention is credited to Jackson, Diane.
Application Number | 20030213843 10/438231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33476569 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030213843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson, Diane |
November 20, 2003 |
Method of issuing tickets to events
Abstract
A method of issuing a ticket 32 to an event comprising the steps
of displaying on a screen 14 the event information for various
different venues on a plurality of machines 10 located at various
different locations that are geographically separated. The
purchaser proceeds by selecting a ticket from the types of tickets
displayed on a screen 14 and entering ticket purchasing information
for the selected ticket. The machine 10 takes a picture 38 of the
ticket purchaser using the machine 10 and a wristband-ticket 32
having first 34 and second 36 ends with the picture 38 of the
ticket purchaser and a code 48 thereon and including an attachment
40, 44, 46 associated with the ends 34, 36 and under the code 48
for securely attaching the ends 34, 36 together and rendering the
ends 34, 36 non-retachable and the code 48 non-readable in response
to the ends 34, 36 being detached.
Inventors: |
Jackson, Diane; (Beverly
Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hal Milton
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
The Pinehurst Office Center, Suite #101
39400 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
33476569 |
Appl. No.: |
10/438231 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60380757 |
May 14, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07B 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/382 |
International
Class: |
G06K 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of issuing a ticket to an event comprising the steps
of; compiling a central data bank containing event data including
time and seat location, selecting a desired event, selecting a
ticket from the types of tickets available, purchasing the selected
ticket, printing a wristband-ticket having first and second ends
with a code thereon and including an attachment associated with
said ends and under the code for securely attaching the ends
together and rendering the ends non-retachable and the code
non-readable in response to the ends being detached, and placing
the wristband-ticket about the wrist of the ticket user by
attaching the ends together, and reading the code at the event to
control movement of the ticket user at the event.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including taking a picture of
the ticket purchaser and printing the wristband-ticket having the
picture thereon.
3. A method as set forth in claim 2 including displaying on a
screen the event information for various different venues,
displaying information regarding various different types of tickets
available at the selected event, entering ticket purchasing
information for the selected ticket, and debiting the ticket
purchase price to a banking account.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 including issuing an eticket
having a code thereon, connecting the data bank to a plurality of
ticket machines, reading the code on the eticket at one of the
ticket machines, and printing the wristband-ticket in response to
the reading of the eticket and entering confirmation into the data
bank that the wristband-ticket was printed.
5. A method as set forth in claim 1 including printing the
wristband-ticket with information regarding the participants of the
event on the wristband-ticket.
6. A method of issuing a ticket to an event comprising the steps
of; compiling a central data bank containing event data including
time and seat location, connecting the data bank to a plurality of
ticket machines, displaying on a screen the event information for
various different venues, selecting a desired event, displaying
information regarding various different types of tickets available
at the selected event, selecting a ticket from the types of tickets
available, entering ticket purchasing information for the selected
ticket, debiting the ticket purchase price to a banking account,
taking a picture of the ticket purchaser, and printing a
wristband-ticket having first and second ends with the picture of
the ticket purchaser and a code thereon and including an attachment
associated with said ends and under said code for securely
attaching said ends together and rendering the ends non-retachable
and the code non-readable in response to the ends being
detached.
7. A method as set forth in claim 6 reading the code while the
ticket is on the wrist to control movement of the ticket wearer at
the event.
8. A method as set forth in claim 6 including printing the
wristband-ticket with information regarding the participants of the
event on the wristband-ticket.
9. A machine for issuing a ticket to an event comprising; a camera
for taking a picture of the ticket purchaser, a display screen for
displaying ticket purchasing information, a keyboard for entering
ticket purchasing information, a bar code reader for reading bar
codes, a credit card reader for debiting the ticket purchase price
to the credit card account, and a printer for printing a
wristband-ticket having first and second ends with the picture of
the ticket purchaser thereon and including an attachment associated
with said ends for securely attaching said ends together and
rendering the ends non-retachable in response to being
detached.
10. A machine for issuing a ticket to an event comprising; a
display screen for displaying ticket purchasing information, a
keyboard for entering ticket purchasing information, a credit card
reader for debiting the ticket purchase price to the credit card
account, and a printer for printing a wristband-ticket having first
and second ends and including an attachment associated with said
ends for securely attaching said ends together and rendering the
ends non-retachable in response to being detached.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of provisional
application No. 60/380,757 filed May 14, 2002 and having the
attorney docket number 65,272-001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The subject invention relates to the dispensing of tickets
for an event.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The most direct manner in which tickets for an event are
dispensed is for the ticket purchaser to go the event, purchase a
ticket and proceed to enter the event venue, e.g., a movie theater.
Tickets may be reserved and held at the ticket office for the user
upon attending the event. Then there is the advanced ticket sales
wherein tickets are purchased and mailed to the purchaser from a
central depository.
[0006] Often scalpers misuse the tickets and tickets are exchanged
once in the venue to allow numerous persons to use one ticket to
enter prized areas of the venue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] The subject invention provides a method of issuing a ticket
to an event by employing a geographical system of widespread
machines for printing tickets that provide enhanced security. The
method utilizes a central data bank containing event data including
time and seat location whereby a potential purchaser may select a
desired event. Once the event is selected, a ticket is selected
from the various types of tickets available and is purchased. The
machine then prints a wristband-ticket having first and second ends
with a code thereon and including an attachment associated with the
ends and under the code for securely attaching the ends together
and rendering the ends non-retachable and the code non-readable in
response to the ends being detached. The wristband-ticket is placed
about the wrist of the ticket user by attaching the ends together
and the code is read at the event to control movement of the ticket
user at the event.
[0008] The subject invention allows actual tickets to be dispensed
simultaneously from multiple machines in widely separated
geographical areas. In addition, it makes scalping more difficult
as well as providing more security and tracking of a ticket holder
as the ticket can only be used by one user, i.e., it can not be
transferred among various users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system employed in the
subject invention to process a ticket;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wristband-ticket utilized
in the subject invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the
adhesive cover being removed;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wristband-ticket on the
wrist of a user;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view of one side of the wristband-ticket used
for a football game; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view of the other side of the wristband-ticket
of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a machine
for issuing a ticket to an event is generally shown at 10 in FIG.
1.
[0017] The machine 10 would be positioned in convenient places
where there is high pedestrian traffic, such as shopping malls, or
the like. A plurality of such machines 10 are distributed
throughout a wide geographical area and are all connected via phone
lines, the internet, or the like, to a central data bank 12
containing event data. The data bank 12 is connected so as to
simultaneously communicate with a plurality of ticket machines 10.
The central data bank 12 is a compilation of information for
numerous events and venues, i.e., a central ticket issuing
authority for numerous different events at various different
venues. The data bank 12 would include the venue, the event, the
types of tickets available, e.g., by date, time, section, row,
seat, etc. The basic information would be the time and seat
location, the time could include the date and performance and the
seat location could be general admission to a specific seat. For
security purposes, the "seat" location is a generic term indicating
the area within the venue to which the ticket is entitled to pass
into.
[0018] In the same manner as an ATM, the machine includes a display
screen 14 for displaying ticket purchasing information, i.e., the
information set forth above re venue, event, etc. the screen 14
includes push buttons 16 to select options provided during the
purchasing process, like selecting the venue, event, time, seat
selection, etc. Furthermore, the machine 10 includes a keyboard 18
for entering ticket-purchasing information that may not be readable
from a credit card reader 20. The credit card reader 20 is included
for debiting the ticket purchase price to the credit card account
and/or identifying the purchaser. The machine 10 also includes a
receipt dispenser 22 of the type well known in the ATM art.
[0019] The machine also includes a camera 24 for taking a picture
of the ticket purchaser, i.e., the person operating the machine to
purchase or acquire a ticket.
[0020] In some instances, the ticket may be reserved over the
internet and an eticket or pass printed at home and the eticket or
pas taken to a machine 10 for obtaining the actual ticket allowing
entry to the event. Accordingly, the machine 10 includes a bar code
reader 26 for reading bar codes on the pass or eticket. After being
read by the bar code reader 26, the pass or eticket may be
deposited in the depository 28.
[0021] The machine 10 includes a printer 30 for printing a
wristband-ticket 32 in the form of a strip having first 34 and
second 36 ends with the picture 38 of the ticket purchaser thereon
and including an attachment associated with the ends 34, 36 for
securely attaching the ends together and rendering the ends
non-retachable in response to being detached. The picture allows
for positive identification of the ticket holder anywhere in the
venue or event. The printer includes a storage unit for storing a
plurality of blank wristband strips with the attachment ends and
reader to receive printing for the event, venue, etc.
[0022] More specifically, the attachment is associated with the
first and second ends 34, 36 of the strip 32, and are for securely
attaching the first and second ends 34, 36 together (see FIG. 4) so
that if they are detached they are not effectively reattachable,
and the detachment is clearly visible to the naked human eye. The
attachment preferably comprises an aggressive permanent pressure
sensitive adhesive 40 (see FIG. 3) on the exterior face of the
second end 34 of the strip 32 and initially covered by a release
sheet 42. A plurality of security slits or lines of weakness 44 are
formed in the strip 32 through the strip 32 at the second end 36
thereof where the adhesive 40 covers the strip 32. Additional slits
46 could be provided at the first end 34 where engaged by the
adhesive 40. The adhesive 40 and release sheet 42, which may be
transparent, may be provided by a piece of transfer tape, such as
"Extra Tack" transfer tape, available from Moore Business Forms of
Lake Forest, Ill. The lines of weakness 44, 46 extend in the width
dimension of the strip 32 and are provided in number and extent,
taking into account the aggressiveness of the adhesive 40, its
adherence to the strip, so that if detachment of the ends 34, 36 is
attempted once they have been adhesively secured together (as seen
in FIG. 4), the strip 32 will rupture at the slits 44, 46, making
effective reattachment of the band 32 ends 34, 36 with the band 32
around the wrist (as seen in FIG. 4) impossible. That is the
rupture (detachment) will be clearly visible to the naked human
eye. The security slits 44 and 46 can be formed either vertically
or diagonally to define areas of weakness so that the
wristband-ticket 32 tears in such area should attempts be made to
forcefully separate the wristband 32 when adhered to itself, such
as when secured to a wrist as shown in FIG. 4. The purposeful
removal of the wristband 32 is accomplished by forcefully pulling
on the wristband until it tears along the security slits 44, 46.
Thus, a wristband 32 that either has the peel strip 42 removed, or
is torn along the security slits 44, 46 is automatically
invalidated and cannot thereafter be used. Attempted reuse of a
wristband-ticket 32 torn along the security slits 44, 46 is
visually perceptible and easily detected. This prevents persons
from forcefully removing wristbands 32 from other persons and using
the same in an unauthorized manner. Should a wristband 32 become
inadvertently torn along the security slits 44, 46, it can be
replaced on the showing of proper identification of the person.
[0023] The wristband-ticket 32 includes a bar code 48 thereon
identifying the venue, event, and a locator, e.g., section, row,
seat or general admission to a specific area of the venue. This
information is also printed on the ticket 32 in alphabetic form as
shown at 50. The bar code 48 is disposed over the security slits 44
or 46 so that the bar code 48 is not readable in the event the
wristband 32 is ruptured along the security slits 44 or 46. An
electrical circuit may be substituted for the bar code 48, e.g., a
passive circuit that is energized and read by radio frequency
signals instead of a bar code reader 26.
[0024] The wristband-ticket 32 may take the form of an event ticket
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the ticket 32 is printed with
information regarding the participants of the event on the
wristband-ticket. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the event is a
football game and the participants are the team members. On one
side (FIG. 5) of the ticket 32 the individuals members of the team
are listed opposite to their respective jersey numbers and the
individuals members of the opposing team are listed on the other
side of the ticket opposite to their respective jersey numbers. In
this case the wristband-ticket can be attached to a wrist with
either of the sides facing outwardly for convenient viewing, i.e.,
the side of the team for whom the ticket is interested in following
is exposed.
[0025] Accordingly, the invention provides a method of issuing a
ticket 32 to an event comprising the steps of displaying on a
screen 14 the event information for various different venues on a
plurality of machines 10 located at various different locations
that are geographically separated. A person may engage a machine by
touching the display screen 14 and/or manipulating the keyboard 18
to select a desired event. In response, the machine 10 displays
information on the screen 14 regarding various different types of
tickets available at the selected event, e.g., seats available.
[0026] The purchaser proceeds by selecting a ticket from the types
of tickets available and entering ticket purchasing information for
the selected ticket. This selection can be by touching the screen
14 and/or operating the keyboard 18.
[0027] The method continues by debiting the ticket purchase price
to a banking account through the card reader 20, which debits a
bank account such as a credit card account, or any specific bank
account. At the time the actual purchase is made, the machine 10
proceeds by taking a picture 38 of the ticket purchaser using the
machine 10. The method of purchasing the ticket is completed by the
machine 10 printing a wristband-ticket 32 having first 34 and
second 36 ends with the picture 38 of the ticket purchaser and a
code 48 thereon and including an attachment 40, 44, 46 associated
with the ends 34, 36 and under the code 48 for securely attaching
the ends 34, 36 together and rendering the ends 34, 36
non-retachable and the code 48 non-readable in response to the ends
34, 36 being detached.
[0028] To enter the venue, the wristband-ticket 32 is placed on the
wrist as shown in FIG. 4 and the code 48 is read while the ticket
32 is on the wrist to control movement, including entry, of the
ticket wearer at the event.
[0029] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
within the scope of the appended claims, wherein that which is
prior art is antecedent to the novelty set forth in the
"characterized by" clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly
and distinctly recited in the "characterized by" clause whereas the
antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known
combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent
recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which
the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the
reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are
not to be read in any way as limiting.
* * * * *